De facto economic integration of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

The Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, driven by Myanmar’s persecution, has evolved into a prolonged humanitarian and economic challenge. With over 1 million refugees residing in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh’s policy remains focused on repatriation – a solution that is currently unfeasible. De jure integration is also politically untenable. In this policy brief, we propose a policy alternative that authorizes and supports income-generating activities in the camps, thereby fostering refugees’ financial self-reliance, reducing dependence on humanitarian assistance and alleviating economic pressures on host communities. Our proposed approach balances humanitarian needs with the Bangladesh government’s encampment policy, offering a sustainable middle ground while awaiting long-term solutions like repatriation or third-country resettlement.